| When one reads advertises on the internet of a | | | | front. Suspension-natural suspension at the trot |
| horse for sale that is a "dressage, western | | | | and canter. Though it can be improved upon, the |
| pleasure or hunter" prospect, one has to wonder | | | | natural ability is preferred. |
| how is that possible? At the low level of | | | | A good walk-the hardest gait to improve upon. |
| dressage, training or first level, a horse may | | | | You can work on the trot and canter, but you're |
| move much in the same frame as an A show | | | | ahead of the game if the horse has a naturally |
| hunter, but if the horse is a prospect for upper | | | | good, free, swinging walk. |
| level, he must be conformationally built to handle | | | | Other movement aspects to consider: |
| the demands of greater collection. | | | | straightness in and purity of gaits. Free shoulder, |
| If you are looking for a young dressage prospect | | | | tracking well up behind or overtracking. The ability |
| that you can take up through the levels, picture | | | | to extend and collect within each of the gaits. |
| the canter pirouette. The horse's movement is | | | | Bloodlines of upper level dressage champions. |
| often described as that of "a coiled lion," as he is | | | | These horses have been bred for upper level |
| able to "sit" more in his rear, his front end lighter | | | | dressage. |
| and lighter. This is what you want to achieve in | | | | If you're looking for a horse that can get you to |
| the upper levels. Think of the old paintings of | | | | the upper levels fast and allow you to learn more |
| George Washington and others on their war | | | | from him, buy or lease a schoolmaster. |
| horses that are coiled and ready for battle. | | | | Schoolmasters have already competed at the |
| In competition dressage at the upper levels, | | | | upper levels and are often being moved down a |
| horses that are not built appropriately will be | | | | level because they may be getting on in years |
| unable to perform the movements or will have | | | | and are not be physically able to handle the |
| great difficulty, if not break down. In a dressage | | | | extremes of upper level movement anymore or |
| prospect, look for: | | | | because they could not progress beyond a |
| Uphill build-the withers are higher than the croup | | | | particular level and the rider has a new horse to |
| Higher neck set, allowing the horse to carry | | | | move further along. For example, a horse that is |
| himself uphill. Where the neck meets the whither, | | | | third level proven and fourth level trained may not |
| is the muscle strong or concave? Will it require | | | | have been performed those fourth level |
| building that muscle to achieve the advanced | | | | movements in shows to be competitive, though |
| upper level frames in dressage? | | | | he has trained in the movements and was |
| Neck length that is capable of allowing flexion. A | | | | successful at third level. |
| short thick neck is detrimental, but an extra long | | | | If still unsure about a dressage prospect, attend |
| one can create difficulty in compacting the horse. | | | | dressage shows and watch the upper level horses |
| Neck shape-the horse is not ewe-necked, either | | | | to understand what you need to consider with |
| by natural build or due to incorrect early schooling. | | | | regard to conformation and movement. |
| The presence of a well-defined, strong crest and | | | | If you are interested in more great equine |
| a not overdeveloped under neck muscle is | | | | articles, please visit our resource box below and |
| preferred. | | | | join our great family. We always leave the barn |
| Back is straight, not hollow, as back is to be | | | | door open on purpose for new friends. Hope you |
| strong to allow the horse to work from back to | | | | stop by. |